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Three Stars of the Week: Nov. 9-15
Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
  Zubrus (leg) out 4-6 weeks
Dainius Zubrus, C NJ
News: The Bergen Record reports that Devils C Dainius Zubrus is out 4-6 weeks with a leg injury he suffered on Thursday.
Analysis: Zubrus had a couple of nice Fantasy seasons a few years ago, but averaged just 39 points in his first two seasons with New Jersey. He is more of a low-end Fantasy option in deeper leagues when healthy, so don't hold on to him during this lay off if you can't afford to.
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Dorsett out for a few games
Derek Dorsett, RW CLB
News: The Blue Jackets' official Web site reports that RW Derek Dorsett will miss the final four games of Columbus' current road trip. Dorsett's head collided with the boards Thursday following a nasty check from Dallas' James Neal, who was suspended two games for the hit.
Analysis: Dorsett is usually the one throwing his weight around the ice, but sometimes even the enforcers get physically punished on occasion. Dorsett seemed temporarily dazed after the hit and then collapsed to the ice. Hopefully he doesn't suffer any long-lasting issues from this incident. Be sure to bench him in the deeper PIM-rewarding leagues that his value lies in.
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 Neal suspended two games for hit
James Neal, LW DAL
News: The NHL has suspended Stars LW James Neal two games for his hit on Blue Jackets RW Derek Dorsett.
Analysis: Neal has 22 points in 19 games this season, so his absence will certainly hurt a few Fantasy players in Week 7 (Nov. 16-22). Luckily, the Stars play four times in Fantasy Week 8 (Nov. 23-29), so Neal will still be worth using in all formats for the scoring period.
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Liles, Galiardi could play Friday
John-Michael Liles, D COL
News: The Denver Post reports that Avalanche D John-Michael Liles (shoulder) and T.J. Galiardi (ankle) could return to action Friday at Vancouver.
Analysis: While Liles does tend to get hurt a lot, he's a viable Fantasy option in all leagues when healthy, so think about making room for him in Week 8 (Nov. 23-29). Galiardi, on the other hand, suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this month and was supposed to be out 4-6 weeks, but he's apparently a quick healer. He is a good prospect but remains more of a low-end Fantasy forward when healthy.
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Drury feeling a little better lately
Chris Drury, C NYR
News: The New York Daily News reports that Rangers C Chris Drury (concussion) has been feeling better recently and met with a team neurologist Thursday.
Analysis: Like most players with concussion, Drury is pretty much considered out indefinitely at this point. Continue to stash him in most formats until he's back to 100 percent.
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 Del Zotto encouraged to shoot more
Michael Del Zotto, D NYR
News: The New York Daily News reports that Rangers coach John Tortorella has instructed rookie D Michael Del Zotto to shoot more on the power play. "Michael Del Zotto is going to have to take some responsibility and take some shots without passing all the time," Tortorella said Thursday.
Analysis: After a scorching start to his NHL career, Del Zotto has cooled down lately with just three points in his last nine games. Hopefully Torts' words will result in some more power play tallies from the rookie, and he remains a decent start in most Fantasy formats.
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Savard might return on Monday
Marc Savard, C BOS
News: The Boston Herald reports center Marc Savard is closed to signing a multi-year extension with the Bruins. It is believed the deal will be for five-plus years and about $5-6 million per season. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming days, which could be followed by another good bit of news -- Savard's return to the lineup. Savard, who has missed 14 games with a broken left foot, skated on Thursday and is close to returning. He might be back on Monday against the Blues. "If you can name a player who is out for a month, skates for two days and is back in the lineup, you let me know," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "It's as simple as that: There's too much risk involved. The last thing you need is a groin injury for a guy who's been out for a month –- and then he's out for three more weeks. It's not caution, it's smart."
Analysis: By Julien's tone it sounds as though he wants to keep Savard out as long as possible. Although, his presence is sorely needed in the lineup since the Bruins offense has been pathetic without their All-Star center. It does appear Savard is on the comeback trail, but unless we hear a more positive report, he is still looking like a risky start for Week 8 (Nov. 23-29). Savard is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy.
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Kariya moved back to scoring line
Paul Kariya, LW STL
News: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Blues veteran LW Paul Kariya has been moved back to a scoring line with T.J. Oshie and David Backes after spending some time on the third line. "We feel Paul now has got his game going," coach Andy Murray said. "To say Paul is better, though, is not good enough. We had multiple scoring chances in the last game and it's great statistically to talk about chances, but they don't get you points. Paul's got his game going, but we need production. He knows it as well."
Analysis: Kariya hasn't picked up a point in almost a month now and is certainly only worth using in deeper Fantasy formats as a low-end option until his offensive game starts to come around.
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Byfuglien's goals drying up lately
Dustin Byfuglien, RW CHI
News: The Chicago Tribune reports that Blackhawks RW Dustin Byfuglien had just two goals in his last 12 games before his goal Thursday against the Flames. "Buff had a real good start to the season and I think it's been OK (since then), not at the same pace as we saw last year in the playoffs," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We want him to recapture the quickness and being hard to play against and being a presence at the net."
Analysis: Byfuglien got off to a great start this season, but he just can't seem to contribute on a consistent basis. His minus-4 rating for a team that is 13-5-2 is also a little disturbing. Continue to use Byfuglien in leagues that reward PIM as a low-end option.
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Sharks recall trio from AHL
Jamie McGinn, LW SJ
News: The Sharks have recalled forwards Benn C Ferriero, LW Jamie McGinn and C Logan Couture from the AHL.
Analysis: All three of these guys have been up already this season for San Jose. None of them are particularly quality prospects, so continue to ignore them in the majority of Fantasy leagues.
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Shelley likely out another week
Jody Shelley, LW SJ
News: The San Jose Mercury News reports that Sharks LW Jody Shelley (soreness) should be back around Thanksgiving.
Analysis: The Sharks enforcer has managed three assists in 17 games this season, but his most important stats are 52 penalty minutes and six fights. Shelley is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM when healthy.
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Blake should be back pretty soon
Rob Blake, D SJ
News: The San Jose Mercury News reports that Sharks D Rob Blake (upper body) is back skating and hopes to be back by Thanksgiving.
Analysis: Blake was showing some signs of life before this injury, so you will want to get him back in your lineup as soon as he's ready. Fantasy Week 8 (Nov. 23-29) looks to be a little early, but plan on having him available for the following period.
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Tollefsen feeling better, but scratched
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, D PHI
News: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that Flyers D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen has recovered from his head injury, but was a healthy scratch on Wednesday.
Analysis: Tollefsen is an enforcer in the NHL more than anything else and is merely a flier in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM when active. He should be left out of lineups for the time being.
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Reich still out for a while
Jeremy Reich, LW NYI
News: NESN reports that former Bruin and current Islander C Jeremy Reich is expected to miss 4-6 more weeks with a broken left arm.
Analysis: Reich has played in a total of 99 NHL games, scoring two goals and four assists with the Boston Bruins' organization. Last season for Providence, he had a career-high 21 goals and 13 assists. He has no Fantasy value at this time.
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Modin not skating yet
Fredrik Modin, LW CLB
News: The CBC reports that Blue Jackets LW Fredrik Modin has yet to resume skating after suffering a sprained knee ligament during the pre-season.
Analysis: Modin has been plagued by injuries the last two seasons, and is looks like we're in for another ton of missed games this year. Modin is nothing more than an injury-risk Fantasy flier when healthy. His best offensive days appear in the past.
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Lydman to return on Friday
Toni Lydman, D BUF
News: The Sabres' official Web site reports that D Toni Lydman, who has missed 11 games with a groin injury, will return to the lineup tonight Friday against Boston. “It’s a relief, but also a big challenge to come back after missing that much time," said Lydman.
Analysis: Lydman is a good two-way player, but is more of a low-end Fantasy option when healthy. He also has Fantasy value in leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats.
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